BJP's Kashmir Strategy: Puri clears air off controversy over uncontested seats, says “has not left any ground”

JAMMU: Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri today said that the issue of BJP not yet declaring candidates on the three Lok Sabha seats in the Kashmir valley is being discussed and the issue is not over yet.
“Best of the people are discussing this and I assure you that whatever is being evaded, will be taken care of soon,” he said, adding that the party “has not left any ground”.
The union minister’s statement at a press conference today at BJP headquarters comes as a significant viewpoint as he put force in the words while declaring that the party has not left any ground.
Few days earlier while forfeiting all the three valley seats including the prestigious Anantnag-Rajouri that has come up recently after centre’s long drawn exercise of delimitation process, the Union Home Minister had said that “BJP is not to occupy the Valley, but engaged in winning hearts”.
He also said, “BJP is full of patience and it will wait till the time Valley is ready to accept and contribute to the bloom of Lotus, the party symbol”.
Meanwhile, facing criticism for not putting up candidates on the three Lok Sabha seats in the Kashmir valley, Jammu and Kashmir BJP today said sometimes “decisions are made to achieve a big goal” and the BJP is supporting “patriotic” parties.
Jammu and Kashmir BJP chief Ravinder Raina said the party is finalising its strategy under the leadership of national president J P Nadda on the three seats of Anantnag-Rajouri, Srinagar and Baramulla on providing support to the contesting candidates as he requested people to reject the Congress, National Conference and PDP for the larger interest of the region.
“We were desirous of fighting the elections from all the three Lok Sabha seats in Kashmir on our own strength. But sometimes different decisions are made to achieve a big goal, setting aside personal interests. We are supporting those parties who are patriotic, working for betterment of Kashmir, strengthening peace and brotherhood and eager to serve the society,” Raina said.
Without identifying any such candidate or the party, he said they will soon meet Nadda and other central leaders to discuss the strategy and will reveal the names so that the BJP workers and supporters can vote for them.
BJP incharge J&K, Tarun Chugh said the fight is between Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who “freed Jammu and Kashmir from the clutches of Article 370”, and the three dynastic parties – the Congress, National Conference and PDP – who “exploited” people over the decades under the constitutional provision.

Updated On 4/21/2024 3:32:54 AM

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